Like being inside of a diamond: Apostle Islands shimmer with northern lights

Northern Lights over Raspberry Island

March 24, 2023

It began with just a faint rippling of light. The sun had barely set, its light still coloring the sky, but already it was clear: something special was happening.

NOAA Aurora Forecast March 23, 2023

NOAA northern lights forecast – click to enlarge

On the night of March 23, 2023, the sky over the northern United States glittered in one of the strongest displays of northern lights in decades, visible as far south as northern Missouri. In the Apostle Islands, clear skies and just a sliver of moon, meant perfect viewing conditions.

Our Executive Director Jeff Rennicke caught the display over the national lakeshore. “To stand beneath the island sky and watch it dance with light so bright its reflection ribbons the water,” he says, “is a reminder of both the beauty of our national lakeshore and of how important a resource dark skies can be. The Apostle Islands are home to some of the darkest skies in the lower 48 states. On nights like these we should celebrate that fact, and then join together to secure Dark Sky protection for our park so that the lights will never dim.”

Enjoy a glimpse of the aurora over the islands. Then, join us to keep the magic alive.

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